Tile-ditching machine



(No Model.)

H. SULLIVANT.

, TIL?y DITGHING MACHINE.

Fyatented Mar. 23, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY SULLIVANT, OF ARCHIE, ILLINOIS.

CIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,678, dated March 23.1886.

Application filed September 21, 1885. Serial No. 177,651.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY SULLIVANT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Archie, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois,have invented an Improved Tile-Ditching Machine, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specication, in which-Figure l represents a longitudinal sectional View of a tile-ditchingmachine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a plan view withthe feeding-table removed.

My invention relates to ditching-machines for laying tile andtelegraph-wires; and it consists in a mechanism for cutting the ditchand removing the dirt; in means for automatically feeding the tile orwire to the ditch; in mechanism for covering or leaving uncovered thetile in the ditch; in mechanism attached to the machine for accuratelygrading the ground in the path of the machine, and in the combination ofdevices hereinafter described and claimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willnow describe the manner in Which I have carried it out.

In the said drawings, A represents a suitable frame, mounted upon axlesB, which carry the supporting wheels G. Upon the rear Wheels are securedthe driving gear-Wheels D, which communicate their motion through adrive-chain to pinions E, mounted upon in` dependent shafts F, passingthrough and pro- 35 jecting from each side of the frame or body of themachine.

Near the front end of the frame, and passing transversely across thesaine, is a shaft, a, upon which are mounted the levers G, the long armsof said levers being attached to cranks b upon theinner ends of theindependent shafts F by means of connecting-rods H, as shown in Fig. l.The short arms of the levers G are attached to the upper ends ofinclined saw-blades I, the lower ends of said blades being slotted toengage the lower end of an oppositely-inclined and adjustable bar, K, asI shall hereinafter describe.

It will be noticed the saw-blades see Fig. 2) approach each other attheir lo werends and bear against small anti-friction rollers 2, and theobject of these saws is to cut both walls of (No model.)

the ditch with as little friction as possible, the dirt to be removedbeing forced up the inclined barK,before'referred to. The cranks b,before described, are placed at different angles to each other, and bythe movement of the driving mechanism impart a reciprocating andalternating movement to these saws.

Upon each end of the front axle is securely bolted a standard, c, whichcarries a plow, L, adapted to remove any obstruction and to level theground in advance of the saw-blades, and bypartially encircling theiiange or tread of the front supporting-wheels cause the obstruction orremoved dirt to be deposited outside ofthe path of the machine. Securelyattached to the upper surface of the frame A is a support, d, for theinclined grooved feeding-table, the lower end of which is in directcommunication with the dischargechute which conveys the tiles to theditch. This chute M is mounted upon a rock-shaft, e, journaled betweenthe inner sides of the frame, and is provided with a loop or pivotconnection for the lower end of the feed-table, the latter having a hookor suitable equivalent device for engaging or disengaging the loop, asshown in Fig. 1.

The inclined bar K has at its lower end a facing plate or cutter, N, andthe saw-blades are attached to this plate by bolts f, which work in theslots in said blades. The cutter N removes the dirt from the ditch, anda plow, O, secured to the frame A, and having a double mold-board,discharges the dirt upon ,each side of the ditch.

Passing transversely across and suitably `jou rnaled in the machine areiianged rollers g h, which furnish bearings for the inclined bar K, theupper end of the inclined bar being provided with a rack, P. A shaft, Q,journaled in a bearing-block, Z, carries a Worm, m, which engages therack and causes the point of the bar K to be adj usted to differentdepths, the said shaft Q being operated by a handwheel secured to itstop. The bar K is cut away near its center, and through the slot thusformed passes the chute which discharges the tile.

The rear axle is provided with eyebolts or loops n, to which are looselyconnected suitable plow-beams, R, having a cross bar, p, and carryingthe covering plows S, one Working slightly in advance of the other, andwhich viill the ditch and cover the tiles with the dirt that has beenremoved by the plow O. If it should be desired to leave the drainexposed after the tiles are laid, this may be accomplished by a lever,r, pivoted to the rear of the frame, and engaging the cross-bar p, so asto lift the plows S oft' the ground.

In the practical operation of my machine, I place at a suitable point inthe field an adjustable stake, (not shown,) and pivotally secure tostandards t, attached to the bar K, a globe or other sight, U, by meansof which the operator readily governs the grade and ascertains thecondition of the ground in which the drain is to be laid.

The machine, as herein described, may be drawn by any suitable power;but I prefer capstan-power, and may be used in laying telegraph or otherwires as well as drain-pipe.

I am aware a tile-ditching machine having a feeding-table, adischargechute, and suitable plows for opening andl covering the ditchhas been used, andv such I therefore do not broadly claim as myinvention; but l What I do claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

I. In a tile-ditching machine, the frame A, independent shafts F, andsuitable driving mechanism, in combination with reciprocatingsaw-blades, the independent levers G, to the short arms of which theblades are secured; and a connection between theshafts F and levers G,whereby the saw-blades move in opposite directions, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a tile-ditching machine, the lframe A,

gears D, the drive-chain, and the'pinions E, in combination with theindependent shafts, the

- connectingrods H, levers for operating' the saw-blades, and anadjustable bar, K, to which the lower ends of the saws are attached,substantially as described.

3. Ina tile ditching machine, the frame, the driving mechanism, and theindependent shafts having cranks set at different angles, in combinationwith the connecting-rod H, the transverse shaft F, and levers fulcrumedupon the shaft and operated by the driving, meehanism to cause thesaw-blades to move in different directions, substantially as hereindescribed. Y

4:. In a tile-ditching machine, the frame having a support, d, incombination with an inclined feeding-table, a discharge-chute connectedthereto, and a rockfshaft, e, upon which the discharge-chute is mounted,substantially as herein described.

Y5. In a tile-ditching machine, the frame, the saw-blades, and mechanismfor operating the same, in combination with an adjustable bar, K, havinga cutter or plate, N, at its lower end, the said cutter being secured toand between the saw-blades and adapted to remove,`

the dirt after the walls of the ditch have been cut by the blades,substantially as herein described.

6. In a tile-ditching machine, the frame, the sawblades, and mechanismfor operating the same,l in combination with an inclined bar, K, a plow,O, secured to the frame and adapted to discharge the earth upon eachside of the ditch, a rack, P, upon said bar, suitablesupporting-rollers, g h, a shaft, Q, a worm, m, and

a hand-wheel for operating the worm to raise o'r lower the lower pointof the bar, substan tially as herein described.

7. In a tile-ditching machine, the frame and the rear axle havingeyebolts or loops,in combination with lthe plow beams R, theoppositely-placed plows S, located one in advance of the other, and alever, r, whereby the plows may be liftedfrom the ground, substantiallyas herein described. l

